National News

Mandela Sign-Language Interpreter Made Stuff Up

by Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

(NEWSER) – The sign-language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service yesterday wasn't actually signing what the speakers on stage were saying, according to many members of the deaf community. As the service was live-streamed, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen (the first deaf woman elected to South Africa's Parliament) tweeted, "ANC linked interpreter cannot sign at all, he's making up signs. Please get him off," The Age reports. She later added: "What is he signing? He knows that the deaf cannot vocally boo him off. Shame on him!"